How to be a Ninja 101
Entry 3 – What's Teamwork?
As things began to quiet down along our amazing trek, I noticed Naruto staring at Sai. Tilting my head, I watched and walked. By the look of my blond friend's face, he was thinking of something and I would think that something interesting was going to come up and unfold right before my eyes. As usual in these kinds of situations, my prediction had come true. It was also quite interesting might I add (and to take up space).
"Please stop staring at me," Sai requested. Right after, he added, "Don't make me hit you."
"Every damn thing you say just pisses me off more!" Naruto yelled and I sighed. One thing that hasn't changed about Naruto is being super loud, obnoxious, rude, and any other synonyms that go alone with those words. It makes thing all the more interesting though so that's good… in a way.
While I mused that, I missed a little bit of the exchange but my blond teammate never fails to be heard. "All you do is piss people off! Why are you even here?" Naruto demanded and by that time, everyone was standing still. Things got a little too interesting right then.
"Hey!" Yamato said, interrupting Naruto before he could say anything else. "Don't say that type of thing, especially right in front of your captain."
Sakura and I exchanged looks before going back to Yamato. "Teamwork and cooperation are the most important things in a team," Yamato explained, "didn't Kakashi-san teach you that already? What is with you?"
"Maybe because this guy isn't an actual member of Team Kakashi!" Naruto answered, pointing at Sai, face angered. "The other member of this team is…" he paused and looked at me before continuing, "is Sasuke! All that guy is someone chosen to fill in the gap. I'll never EVER consider someone like him as a teammate."
I was about to protest until I heard Sai speak. "Quite frankly, I'm glad you think of me as such," Sai responded with a smile. As I blinked with confusion, he continued and I did not like what came out of his mouth next at all. "I wouldn't be likened when I filled the spot of shit-for-brains who only cared about power and ran off to Orochimaru, betraying Konoha."
"You bastard," Naruto stated, making a fist. I too made a fist and fought my urge to yell.
Those words hit home and I felt my chest fill with some sort of pain I couldn't describe. I wasn't totally sure what it was, but I had some type of feeling though. Even though I wasn't too sure of Sai before this, I'm pretty unsure of him now. Or rather then, my opinion might've changed, I'm not sure yet. And before I could do anything, Sakura stepped in, holding her arm out to prevent me or Naruto from advancing.
"The most important thing is teamwork," Sakura started, in a very calm voice. "Sai, Naruto doesn't know you too well and because of that, he said too much. I'm sorry, please forgive Naruto."
Out of all people in the world, I did not expect Sakura to be the one to actually step in like that. I thought she would freak and totally hit the guy right then and there. Well, that's change I guess. For some reason though, I thought she would be different then.
"I'm glad as least one of you has some sense," Yamato sighed. Rolling my eyes, I noticed he didn't mention me, the quiet one. Now that I notice this, I didn't even talk during the exchange which is actually very odd of me. Heh, oh well.
"Think nothing of it," Sai said. Oh he's saved isn't he?
"That's good," Sakura said with a laugh like she would after something was settled down.
The next thing happened in a flash. Sakura had gone forward and punched Sai square in the face and he flew backwards a good few couple of feet. Everyone was caught off guard and I finally spoke a 'holy shit' and just stood there stupidly. This was very much unexpected.
"Me on the other hand, you don't have to forgive," Sakura said in a menacing voice. See what I mean when I said that little 'I thought she would be different then'? In a way, she's still the same old, temperamental Sakura; she's just a little bit calmer on the approach. Did I forget dangerous and fucking scary? Well there's that too.
"You fooled me completely with that laugh," Sai said in what I would think would be awe. He stood up and wiped his face, staring at the three of us.
"Seeing as you don't know Sasuke," I started, finally becoming part of the little spat, "I'd advise you to not talk about things you don't even have an idea about."
My voice shook in anger then. I knew I was angry and I knew it would spill out at any moment. "If you badmouth Sasuke again, you'll have more than just Sakura beating you up," I threatened, feeling a little bit of heat on my arm.
"I won't hold back either," Sakura added.
Sai had most of his attention on Sakura. "Gotcha, I won't say anything in front of you two," he said with a slight chuckle. "You used a fake smile like that… I'll be sure to remember that."
"You've just been hit! Why are you so cheerful?" Naruto demanded.
"A smile is the best way to get out of trouble, even if it's fake," Sai explained. "Hm, amazingly, it fools everyone; I've read it in a book."
He paused. "It doesn't seem it works here though."
"Oh yes, especially when it's awkwardly plastered on your pale face," I blurted out with a roll of my eyes.
The next thing I know, there's a cage made out of wood looming behind Yamato. I don't know about everyone else but my mouth dropped open. Being stuck in that thing did not look too fun at all. By no fun, I mean like fights everywhere and awkward moments.
"If you lot don't stop arguing, I'll throw you in a cage," Yamato said, arms crossed. "We don't have much time to reach Tenchi Bridge, but there is five days."
That sounded to be a little too much so I let it lie. The boys were a little shocked as well but Sakura seemed to analyzing our temporary leader with some sort of interest and curiosity. I was somewhat interested as to what she was thinking but I let it go. Yamato had started talking before I could even think past that thought anyway.
"As the mediator, I have a proposition," he started. "You can spend a day or so in a cage to work out your differences-"
I interrupted by saying, "One day? We'd need at least one month."
"-or we can go to a hotel with hot springs," Yamato continued, completely ignoring my comment. He did look at me though. "What'll it be?"
He looked at all of us before continuing once again. "You guys don't know me really well either," he stated. As he said that, his face transformed and dear lord I swear it was from a form of nightmare or something because I wanted to jump out of my skin. "I like being nice and friendly but… I don't have problems with ruling by fear."
Everyone looked a little (or more) intimidated by that statement made. "I'll speak on everyone's behalf," I started. Geez, people do know how to convince people.
x
Something I've learned.
To be a shinobi, you have to be scared shitless at least once. I may not have been too scared during missions but dear god Yamato might have surpassed all of my scary missions with just that one look.
x
Sighing, I leaned back against the wall of the hot spring. There were a lot of women around and I felt a little self-conscious about myself. It was only a little bit more than embarrassing to be naked with other prettier looking women, but some did assure me I looked fine. Heh, people do that only because they want to be nice. I highly doubt what they're saying is true, but I thanked them anyway. Politeness is a key thing anyway.
I played with the water a little bit before jolting up at a familiar voice. All I heard was Naruto screaming about it all being about a guy's uh… stuff and all the girls laughing. Sakura and I exchanged glances and I shrugged. Naruto was a little bit too loud about it, but what can you do? It was still really embarrassing though. No one wants to hear this type of thing.
Joining the laughter nervously, I got up slowly and wrapped a towel around myself, heading inside. Sakura could stay and defend herself if any of the girls had to question her. As I slid the door open, I heard her call my name in a soft whine and I looked back. I gave a small wave and a smile before going on inside. No way in hell was I going to say in that water after that experience.
"Man, that guy never changes," I sighed as I tied a robe around myself and headed to the room Sakura and I shared.
When I arrived, I sat down at the table and got out my travel bag. My sketchbook fell out and I smiled slightly. Over the past few years, I've lost a little bit of my enthusiasm for drawing and now it was just a side habit, nothing I focused on too greatly. It was a nice thing to look through though because it actually held some drawings from two years ago. Even though it held those, I skipped over those pages to look at the recent ones I did. They were only simple drawings of things that I saw like trees or a river. Nothing too elaborate. I knew what came next so I closed the book and put it back in my bag. I didn't feel like looking.
Taking a quick inventory of my weapons and herbs, I let my thoughts wander. I don't have any significant ones to write down so nothing too exciting going on there. After that, I just went straight to bed. Yep, nothing too eventful there.
x
I woke up feeling very refreshed the next day. Sakura lay near me so I stretched quietly. After that, I looked out the window and admired the view of the trees, the sun, the sky, and such. My eyes soon fell onto Sai and curiosity struck me. As quietly as I could, I dressed quick and attached whatever was necessary to me and went out to that spot.
There were some people awake as I walked through the hallways and I greeted some. Some idle chat got me distracted but I was soon on my way. Personally, I have no idea what struck me at that moment to go out and talk to Sai. I felt as if I should though so I followed that impulse. Maybe it led to something good, maybe it didn't, I'm not too sure of it yet.
When I arrived, Sai was still sitting, drawing. More curiosity struck me and I walked even closer. He didn't seem to notice me which surprised me. From what I've seen and assume from him, he must be good, but then again, if you're wrapped up in something, you don't usually notice this kind of thing. I decided to announce my presence to him to at least try to get along with him.
"Hey, I didn't know you were an artist," I stated, walking closer to him.
He seemed surprised and he turned to look at me. "Do you need anything?" he asked as I stopped in front of him.
I leaned down and looked at his drawing. They were of swirls that fit perfectly with each other and I was rather impressed. "Your mouth is a little bleck, but you have a nicer side to you," I said with a soft smile. "Heh, I'm surprised at this."
"Ah a fake smile," Sai said, "Are you going to hit me like Sakura did yesterday?"
"Hit you? I'll pummel you to the ground," I joked with an odd face that didn't even come close to being threatening. Laughing, I smiled again. "Actually, I came to see what you were drawing."
"Ah, I see," Sai said, continuing to draw.
Curiosity struck me again and looked at his drawing to the scenery around us. "Y'know, people usually draw scenery when they're sitting in a place like this," I stated. "That's some nice abstract art though."
My head tilted. "Does it have a name?"
"Who knows?" Sai replied.
That caught me off guard. "You haven't even thought of anything?" I asked.
"Nope, it just doesn't have one," he answered. "I've drawn many pictures but none of them have names or titles on them."
"Huh," I grunted, standing up straight. "Pictures are supposed to be titled though. It could be anything really, the circumstances, an emotion, a person's name, the theme it's built around… y'know, that type of thing."
Sai started to draw again with a red pastel and I watched his strokes. He began to talk as he drew. "To be accurate, it's not that I don't give them names, it's really because I can't."
My pale eyes widened in surprise. Before I could say anything, he went on. "Not one thing comes to my mind. I just don't feel anything at all."
A little breeze danced around us and I looked to the sky.
"Huh, well that explains why you're so insensible," a voice interrupted.
Both of us turned around to see Naruto and Sakura come towards us. Sakura was a little more curious than Naruto and walked over a little closer. She showed appreciation for the artwork through looks since Naruto had more to say.
"We're about to head out," he stated, "Yamato-taichou told us to get you."
"Heh, okay," I said, stretching a little more as Naruto walked up to Sai to look at the drawing.
He examined it briefly before saying, "Hey, that drawing isn't very special."
I rolled my eyes. If there's one thing about Naruto, he's too blunt about somethings and that could easily offend anyone. Funny thing, Sai had a good comeback.
"Yes, like your pen-" he started before I slapped my hand to my forehead.
Naruto started to yell again but I hardly paid attention to him. "If you have a problem about me, then be honest and say it!" was all I heard from him until Sai started to talk again.
"You don't understand," Sai started, "I don't think anything of you, one way or another."
The three of us stood staring at our new member. "Go on ahead, I'll clean up and be right there," he ordered.
"Here, I'll help," I sighed, picking up a book. It was a drawing of a boy and I blinked slowly as I examined it. "Hey, this isn't printed, you drew this right?"
Sai nodded, grabbing the book from my hand and then I continued. "Mind showing it to me eventually?"
"Actually, I would," he replied. That didn't shock me, but what he said next did. "The book isn't finished yet and I usually don't let other people touch this because it's my older brother's."
We all stood still again and I quietly started to help Sai again. Sakura eventually joined while Naruto just stood there. I knew he still felt skeptical towards Sai and I don't blame him really; the two did get off to a rough start. There's also the fact that Sai always makes a jab or two at Naruto and Sasuke. Quite frankly though, I'm getting used to those insults. They do bother me a big deal though. This is a team where teamwork is essential but to me, it looks like that something we're going to be lacking for awhile.
x
Something of importance:
To be a team, you have to put up with anything that comes your way and work together no matter what. With that, I'd like to say that Oto and Konoha could do a better chance at working together than we can.
x
We were walking in the woods until nightfall. Yamato randomly stopped and we all followed the gesture. He clapped his hands together and I go a little curious when something came out of the ground. Letting out a yelp, I closed my eyes and opened them once the dust settled. I gasped (lame verb, but oh well). In front of us was a house like structure totally made out of wood with Yamato sitting on top of it. It was like any typical building from Konoha and quite frankly, I found it pretty awesome.
"We'll be camping here for the night," our leader announced from up above.
"This is camping?" I asked.
"Uhh… I wouldn't exactly call this camping," Sakura said from beside of me.
Naruto let out a 'whoa' as we all walked into to our wooden 'tent'. Not only did it look like any typical building in Konoha on the outside, but it looked it pretty well like one on the inside as well. Well, kind of anyway but oh well, details details.
We were putting things away in the area of the room when Yamato called all of us over. He paid attention to Sakura a little bit more since it was about Sasori. Sighing, I just averted my gaze and attention elsewhere since I knew I wouldn't be part of the conversation. Sometimes I wonder if I should really just disappear. My past was fucked up, I was in a different world that I've found to be losing memory of and the people that were there, I know next to nothing about my own family, and well, I sometimes feel like nothing. I sometimes feel like I play no part in this play that we're in. Personally, I don't know why I started to reflect this, but the thought randomly popped out and quite frankly, it manifested.
During my thoughts, I roughly paid any attention to the plan. If anything, I could ask Sakura who would scold me for not listening but it's whatever, I need a good conk on the head. After a few more moments of reflection, I decided to actually pay attention.
"-Our job is to capture not kill," was the part I came in at and I was glad that I did. It was going to get juicy. Well kind of anyway, the next part was just describing what would happen and what we shouldn't do about the target and shit. That kind of thing. The juicy part was the something else.
"We're going to need the buddy system," Yamato started to explain. "I'll decide on that right now… Sai and Naruto and then Sakura and myself. Hikari, since you seem to be a good support, you'll be out neutral. If any one of the teams needs you, then you will go to the either one. Do not though stop helping one team to go help the other. Finish the first job and then move on. If you are not needed, just stand by unless you're attacked yourself."
When Sakura started to protest, Yamato cut in. "Sakura, you're our only medic nin, if you're injured, I'll be there to help. If you're with any of the boys and you get hurt and I'm not with you… well that would end badly."
"Hikari, I know you work with herbs, but that's usually used after a battle, not during. Technically, you're not a medic nin so that's why I'm not too concerned for you."
You have no idea how much better that made me feel at that moment. (That's sarcasm for you slow people)
"Tomorrow, I will test your teamwork skills. I only know you through files. I'd like to know your fighting styles, battle skills, weapons of choice, and array of jutsus. Also, by getting to know each other a little bit more will you be able to work as a team. It may seem a little serious, but that's how I run things so put your all into it."
You know, the more and more I hear the word 'teamwork' the more I wonder whether or not if we actually had it two years ago. It seems impossible now if you look at it.
x
"Ugh, I'd rather be fighting," I complained, hitting my head against the tree. That felt really good at that moment because of the sheer boredom. I regretted later when I got a humongo headache.
"Those two need to work together, you know that Hikari," Sakura sighed.
"But moooom," I whined, getting ready to block. If you want to know what happened, my headache was a lot worse than I would've liked it.
"I swear you complain as much as Naruto sometimes."
"I don't know whether to be insulted or flattered," I joked, rubbing the spot where she hit me. I'd like to say our interactions are more mature and controlled to an extent. It's a lovely improvement from when we were Genin.
Anyway, the boys were doing their simulation while us girls were stuck. Even though I was sort of the whatever person and could still be included, I was promptly rejected which was a rain on my parade. I actually wanted to fight but you can't have everything I guess. An itch of action was just bothering me. Even if it wasn't the real thing, I still wanted some action to get my adrenaline going. It would've felt nice. Not that I didn't get much fighting in while I was away, it was just unpleasantly not so exciting. Haha look at me reflecting on fighting. And I thought I hated it with a burning passion. Well, not burning but yeah… I'll just stop now.
"I'm singing and I don't care, blablabla," I sang off pitch, being bored as anything.
"Hikari if you don't shut the fuck up or I will hit you harder!" Sakura threatened. Don't worry, I shut up.
"Can we at least check on them?" I asked, not pulling on her arm.
Sakura let out a long sigh as she let herself be pulled up by me. Silently, I cheered and I would've danced but that was too unnecessary.
So yeah.
We walked towards where the boys were to find that they were done. Just in time too for another argument. I actually paid attention… somewhat. I say somewhat because I know the general idea and select words, not the full thing. Lame I know but hey, not everyone has amazing memory. Thing is though, maybe I don't want to pay attention. Usually, Sasuke is brought up in the arguments; that's why. It just hurts knowing that he chose power over us but what can you do. Try to get the fucking bastard back of course and do everything and anything we can to do it
Silently, I waited for the conversation to move away from Sasuke. When I came in, I bit my tongue.
"I have none of what you call 'emotions'."
And Sai said that with a smile… fake of course.
If by some freak accident we survive this adventure, I better fucking hope we're like a quilt; together forever unless some other freak accident unravels us.
Due to school, marching band, and job, I find myself going very very slowly in updating/writing. Also, since my main source of the manga (onemanga) is shut down, I have no references that are free. Basically, this just means I'll be making up my own thing starting middle/endish of the next chapter. Why don't I just go out and by the manga? I'm like any poor person; lack of money xp. 7.25 an hour is not really a good wage to have when you need other things. With that, I leave you. :)
PS. If you actually read that important message, you should review. I find reviews encouraging and helpful.